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Where to Shop on your Visit to Chicago, Illinois

Shopping in Chicago can be a daunting task.

With so many great areas to choose from, it’s difficult to know where to get started! Each neighborhood in Chicago has its own culture, which influences the retail opportunities. Here are five neighborhoods every shopper should visit in the Windy City.

The Magnificent Mile

When people think of Chicago, a few iconic landmarks come to mind: The Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), The Bean in Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue. North Michigan Avenue, affectionately called the Magnificent Mile, offers 460 shops, and a trip to this location isn’t complete without a visit to Water Tower Place. This eight-level shopping plaza was named after the nearby historic Water Tower, which was one of the only buildings to withstand the great Chicago Fire of 1871. One could easily spend a single day exploring this place alone!

Experience

State Street is lined with flagship department stores as well as popular boutiques and retail chains. State Street is located in the middle of the famous Chicago Loop. One of the most recognizable stores on State Street is Macy’s, which occupies the historic Marshall Field’s building. During the holidays, Macy’s continues the tradition of Marshall Field’s by decorating its windows with whimsical displays. It’s magical and well worth a trip during the year’s busiest shopping season.

Farther north in Lincoln Park, there are a myriad of unique boutiques. You might have the urge to stop in every shop, but if your trip must be kept short, try starting with All She Wrote for cute stationery and paper goods. For affordable high-fashion on consignment, visit Lori’s for a wide variety of shoes.

Southport Corridor is akin to Armitage Avenue’s older sister. Although this area has the same trendy vibe as Armitage, it’s a bit more mature. Keep an eye out for Southport Grocery and Cafe, where shelves are stocked with locally produced finds, or you can visit the Krista K Boutique and find racks filled with upscale women’s clothing from emerging designers.

Andersonville is unlike any other part of the city. At about 13 kilometers from the Loop, it’s a bit of a hike for both locals and tourists, but the eclectic charm of this section of the city is well worth the adventure. One shop that all visitors should stop by is Brimfield for mounds of aged flannel and timeless trinkets.